Adjustable leg rest for invalids



Jan. 1, 1952 A, E, KENWORTHY 2,581,110

ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVLIDS Filed Dec. 24. 1949 (Ittornegs Jan. 1,1952 A, E. ,KENWORTHY 2,581,110 ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVALIDS v FiledDeo. 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-smi 2 LAz? i nventor L ILLJI. LA.

(Ittornegs Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,581,110ADJUSTABLE LEG REST FOR INVALIDS Aurelia E. Kenworthy, Kansas City, Mo.Application December 24, 1949, Serial No. 134,995

Claims.

This invention relates to leg rests for invalids and the like and moreparticularly to such a device for supporting a leg of an invalid orother patient in a selectively elevated, bent, or other position forcomfort cr treatment of the leg.

The objects of the invention are to provide a 1 leg rest which isadjustable to support a leg in diierent positions and in any desiredrelative angle when the person is sitting in a chair or lying in a bed;to provide a leg rest that is adjustable in height at each end and alsoat a point accommodating the knee joint for proper elevation andinclination of the various parts of the leg; to provide a leg rest whichis substantiallycollapsible whereby when not in use it may beconveniently folded to occupy a minimum of space; to provide a leg restthat is adjustable in length from the knee to the foot portion foraccommodating various sized persons; to provide a leg rest member withcushioned coverings to protect the leg from contact with metal or thelike members of the structure; and to provide a leg rest of sturdyconstruction, neat in appearance, that is simple and easily adjusted toany desired elevation and inclination for the proper positioning of theleg member.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a leg rest constructed in accordancewith the present invention Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the leg rest.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the leg rest taken onthe line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the leg rest with the portions thereof atdilTerent elevations and inclinations from that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the leg rest on the line 55, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial elevation of the knee portion of the leg rest withthe telescoping brace members partially broken away to better illustratethe structure thereof.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

designates a leg rest embodying the features of the present inventionconsisting of a base 2 adapted to be supported on a bed or the like. Thebase is preferably formed of sheet metal and has substantially parallelsides 3 extending from an end 4 adapted to be located under the thighportion of the leg, said parallel sides terminating in outwardlyextending wings 5 adjacent the other end G of the base, said wings beingon the 4portion adapted to be placed under the foot of the person andserving to prevent tipping of the structure.

Spaced parallel rails 'I and 8 are secured to the base intermediate itslength and adjacent the side edges 3. The rails preferably are formed ofangle-iron with inturned flanges 9 secured to the base and upwardlyextending flanges Ill parallel with the side edges 3. The ilanges ||lare each preferably provided with a longitudinal slot I the lower edgeof which is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 2. Parallelrails |3 and I4 are arranged in alignment with the rails 'I and 8 andextend from adjacent the foot end 6 of the base toward the intermediaterails 'I and 8. The rails I 3 and I4 are also of angle construction withthe inturned anges I5 secured to the base and upturned flanges I6 havinglongitudinal slots I l, the lower edges of which are provided with aplurality of spaced notches |8. A bracket I9 is secured to the baseadjacent the end 4 thereof and is provided with upwardly extendingilanges 2|) substantially in alignment with the flanges I0 and I6 of therails 1, 8, I3 and I4, said flanges preferably being provided withsubstantially vertical slots 2|.

A leg support 22 is adjustably carried by the base and preferablyconsists of a thigh supporting section 23 and lower leg supportingmember 24, the lower leg supporting member consisting of sections 25 and26 arranged in longitudinal, overlapping relation and telescopicallyconnected together whereby the sections are capable of sliding todifferent extended or collapsed positions as later described. The thighsupporting section 23 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is arcuatein transverse cross section, the width f'the section being wider at itsfree end 21 and having its edges curved as at 28 to eliminate anyprojecting corners or the like.

Secured to the under face 29 of the section 23 in spaced relation to theend 21 is a bar 30 conforming to the transverse contour of the section23 and terminating in downturned legs 3| having outwardly projectingthreaded shanks 32 adjacent the ends thereof adapted to extend throughthe slots 2| in the flanges 20. Suitable nuts 33 are threaded on theshanks 32 for clamping the ange 20 between the nuts 33 and the legs 3|to rigidly secure the leg section 22 to the bracket I9.

This arrangement provides a mounting which permits the section 23 to bepivoted relative to the bracket I9 and also adjusted vertically thereiofdue to the slot 2| in the flanges 20. The narrow end of the section 23terminates as at 34. Arms 35 extend longitudinally along the section 23and are secured thereto, said arms extend beyond the end 34 of saidsection and are provided with apertures 36 for pivotally mounting theend of the section 23 as later described.

The leg supporting section 2E is arcuate in transverse cross section andis preferably formed of metal or the like. The end 31 of section 26 isprovided with a flange 38 suitably secured to arms 39 adjacent the sideedges 40 of the section 26,

the arms 39 extending longitudinally alongside of the section 26 and inspaced relation thereto to permit section 25 to slide between the arms39 in the section 2S. The arms 39 extend beyond the end'3'1 of thesection=26 and have laterally extending threaded sha'nks 4I adapted toextend through the apertures 35 in the arms 35 for pivotally connectingsaid arms 35 and 39 with the adjacent ends 34 and 31 of the sections`23and 26 in spaced relation. The Shanks 4I extend through apertures 42of bar members 43-an`d threaded on said Shanks are .nuts 44 for drawingthe arms 35, 39 and bar 43 in'to tight engagement whereby saidrespective members are selectively pivotal or may be rigidly securedtogether.

The bars 43 are slidably and telescopically mounted in sleeves45 adaptedto extend downwardly along the outer side of the flanges I of the rails1 and 9, the lower ends of the sleeves being vprovided with laterallyand inwardly extending lugs 46V which extend through the slots I I andare adapted to engage the notches YI 2. The inner ends of the lugs are`preferably provided with heads 41 whereby the heads and sleevescooperate to prevent lateral displacement of the sleeves relative to theflanges I9. With this arrangement the lugs may be selectively placed inany ofthe notches I2 to cooperate with the telescoping mounting of thebars 43 in the sleeves 45 rfor Vadjusting the height of the connectionof the arms 35 and 39 above the base. The sleeves 45 are provided Withthreaded apertures 48 for receiving theshanirs of thesetscrews 49adapted to be threaded' into engagement with the bars 43 to secure samein selected adjusted position.

Movement of the lug 45 into engagement with the various notches providesa quick adjustment of the-height of the central portion of the legsupport and the adjustment of the position of the bar 43 relative to thesleeve 45 provides additional adjustment, but when the lugs 46 areengaged with the notch I2, the setscrevvs -tightened and the nuts 44 and32 tightened to form a rigid structure the thigh supporting section 23is secured in selected position.

The leg supporting section 25 is preferably formed of sheet metal and isarcuate in transverse cross section to `conform to the curvature ofthesection 25 to permit sliding engagement of the respective sections. Thesection 25 is preferablyprovided with laterally and outwardly extendingthreaded shanks 50 longitudinally spaced thereonY and adapted to extendthrough spaced slots I extending longitudinally of theYarms 39, nutsr52Abeing threadedly .mounted on the Shanks 59 to rigidly secure the legsupporting sections and k'26 kagainst relative longitudinal movementwhenadjusted` to the selected length of lthecombined sections. l

The free end of theleg section 25 is preferably provided with a barmember 53 extending transversely and secured to the under face thereof,said barmember terminating in legs 54.having ends .providedwithlaterally extended threaded Shanks 55 Aadapted to extend throughapertures 56 in the ends of bar members 51, nuts 58 being threadedlymounted on the Vthreaded shanks 55 to clamp the bar members to the legs54 and form rigid connectionsl therebetween. When the nuts 58 areloosened, the bars 51 may be -pivoted relative /t/.i the leg 54.

The bars V-51 -is .slidably and telescopically mounted in sleeves V59which extend downwardly along the outside 'of flanges IQ of the rails I3and I4 The Vends 'of the sleeves 59 are provided with Vbars 51 forsecuring the lugs 69 which extend inwardly through the slots I1 and areadapted to be selectively positioned in the notches I8, the inner endsof the lugs 60 preferably being provided with heads 60 to preventdisengagement of the sleeves 59 'from the flanges IS. The'sleeves 59 areprovided with setscrews 6i threaded therein and adapted to engage thebars and sleeves in selected adjusted position. With this arrangement,the selective placing of the lugs 69 in the notches 59 Yarid theselective extension of the bars 51 relative to the sleeves 59 willprovide selective adjustment of the height of the end of the legmember'25 above the base 2.

A cushion of spongerubber or other suitable material 62 is preferablycutto conform tothe curvature of the leg sections 23, 25 and 2G wherebythe side edges 93 of said cushion extend-slightly beyond the side edgesof the respective supporting members to `protect the person vfromcontact with said side edges. Itis preferredfthat the cushion member beof onepiece and-extend beyyond Ythe free end of the leg supportingsection 25 as at 94 whereby the heel of the person does .not have arigid support. I I

The leg rest may be used with or withouta foot support. In'cases where afoot support Yis Vdeemed desirable, an arm 515 having a longitudinalslot 56 therein is secured to the underside ofthe leg support section 25by a screw and nutarran-gement 66', whereby said arm may be selectivelyadjusted longitudinally of the leg supporting member 25. The arm isturneddownwardly and upwardly as 61 and has its ends secured `as at 68to a plate member S9 which extends substantially perpendicular to theleg supporting member 25. The plate 69-is Vpreferably provided with acushion member 19, such as sponge rubber or the like, to engage thebottom of the foot of :a person whose leg is supported onthe leg rest.The foot support, being adjustable longitudinally of the leg rsupportingmember 25 and only the end 64 of the'cushion t2 being under `the heel ofthe foot., provides the proper pressure onthe ball ofthe foot toholdsame-in position. l

In using a device constructed as described, the nuts 33, 44. 52 and 58are allloosened and -the lugs 46 and El) disengaged from the notches i2and I8 respectively whereby the leg supporting members may be collapsedsubstantially onto the upper surface of the base to occupy a minimumspace, as for storage. This Ycollapsed condition is als-o desirable whenplacing the rest under the leg of an invalid or other patient, then bylocating the Shanks 4I which form the pivotalconnection of the arms 35and 39 substantially in alignment with the knee joint, the legsupporting sections 25 and 26-may be extended orcollapsed as desired toadjust same to the proper length for the lower leg of the patient. Thenuts 52 may then be tightened to secure the leg supporting sections 25and 29 in adjusted position. r-Ihe telescscping'V braces 'formed -by thebars 43 andl sleeves 45 are then moved by disengaging the lugs lrorn thenotches i2 land moving samei'n the slots II to raise the pivotalconnection oi the-arms 35 and 39. `When the desired angularity of thetelescoping brace member is obtained, the lugs 46 are engaged with anadjacent notch I2 and the setscrews 49 may be loosened to further adjusttherbars 43 relative to the sleeves 45 te provide the proper adjustmentof vtheheight ol' the knee of the patient. The setscrew 49. is thentightened. The end 21 of the leg sectio'n23is raised until said section4provides the proper 'support under the thigh portion of the leg. Thenut 33 is then tightened to retain the section 23 in adjusted position.

The telescoping braces formed by the bars 51 and sleeves 58 are thenmoved to disengage the lugs 60 from the notches I8 whereby said lugs aremoved along the slots I7 to raise the free end of the leg supportingportion formed by the sections 25 and 2t. The lugs 60 may be engagedwith suitable notches i8 to provide approximately the desired angularityof the telescopic braces and then by loosening the setscrews 6| andadjusting the relative position of the bars 51 in the sleeves 53 theproper adjustment of the free end of the leg supporting sections 25 and26 may be obtained. The setscrew l is then tightened. The nut 56 isloosened whereby the arm 65 may be moved relative to the leg section 25until the cushion 70 on the plate S9 engages the ball portion of thefoot to support same in 'proper position.

It willv be evident that the sectional character of this leg and footrest is adapted for use in a variety of conditions and any place whereit may be desired to support a leg in an elevated or bent position andmay be adjusted to provide desired inclination and support according tothe needs of the patient. Also the leg rest may be used with' tractiondevices for the treatment of fractures and the like. By beingconstructed of sheet metal or other light weight material it may beinexpensively manufactured but When in use forms an effective and securesupport for the leg throughout the length thereof as desired.

What claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg supportincluding a plurality of sections, one of said sections being spacedlongitudinally from the next adjacent section, means pivotallyconnecting the spaced sections, means adjacent each end of the legsupport and having adjustable connection with the base for adjustablysupporting the respective ends of the leg support in selected spacedrelation to the base, brace means adjustable in length and connected tothe leg support intermediate its ends and adapted to be clamped thereto,and means on said brace means for adjustably connecting same to the basefor supporting the intermediate portions of the leg supporting sectionsin selected spaced relation with the base whereby the sections areinclined relative to the base.

2. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg supportincluding a plurality of sections, one of said sections being spaced1ongitudinally from the next adjacent section. means pivotallyconnecting the spaced sections. means adjacent each end of the legsupport and having adjustable connection with the base for adjustablysupporting the respective ends of the leg support in selected spacedrelation to the base, brace means adjustable in length and connected tothe means for pivotally connecting the sections and adapted to beclamped thereto, and means on said brace means for adjustably connectingsame to `the base at points spaced longitudinally of said base forsupporting the intermediate portions of the leg supporting sections inselected spaced relation with the base whereby the sections are inclinedrelative to the base.

3. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg supportincluding a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one ofthe sections to the base for adjustment of Number the spacing of one endthereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace means foradjustably connecting same to the base at points spaced longitudinallythereof for supporting said section at selected inclined positions,means connecting the other leg support sections for adjustmentlongitudinally relative to each other, one of said other sections beingconnected to the adjustable brace means, and means adjustably connectedto the base for adjustabiy supporting said other sections in inclinedpositions relative to the base.

4. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg supportincluding a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one ofthe sections to the baseV for adjustment of the spacing of one endthereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace meansadjustable in length pivotally connected adjacent to the other end ofsaid section and adapted to be clamped thereto, rails extendinglongitudinally of the base and having a plurality of spaced notches,means on the bracemeans for selectively engaging said notches forsupporting said section at selected inclined positions, means connectingthe other leg support sections for adjustment longitudinally relative toeach other, one of said other sections being pivotally connected to theadjustable brace means, and means adjustably connected to the base foradjustably supporting said other sections in inclined positions relativeto the base.

5. A leg rest comprising, an elongated base, an elongated leg supportincluding a plurality of sections, means adjustably connecting one ofthe sections to the base Yfor adjustment of the spacing of one endthereof from the base and adapted to be clamped thereto, brace meansadjustable in length pivotally connected -adjacent to the other end ofsaid section and adapted to be clamped thereto, rails extendingAlongitudinally of the base and having a plurality of spaced notches,means on the brace means for selectively engaging said notches forsupporting said section at selected inclinedpositions, means connectingthe other leg support sections for adjustment longitudinally relative toeach other, one of said other sections being pivotally connected to therst section by the pivotal connection of the adjustable brace meanstherewith, brace means adjustable in length pivvotally connected to theend of said other sections and adapted to be clamped thereto and meanson the second named brace means for adjustably connecting same to thebase at points spaced longitudinally thereof for supporting said othersections at inclined positions relative to the base.

AURELIA E. KENWORTI-IY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe le of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Barber June 20, 1905 Flagg Sept. 11,1906 Miller July 23, 1940 Herbert May 8, 1945

